Seed cart

ABSTRACT

A vehicle for transporting bulk seed containers and for transferring seed from the bulk seed containers to a seed planting machine includes a frame; a number of bulk seed container supports attached to the frame, each bulk seed container support supporting a bulk seed container; a feed tube connected to each of the bulk seed container supports, each feed tube engaging a bulk seed container; a delivery tube connected to each feed tube; a funnel commonly connected to the delivery tubes; an auger tube connected to the funnel and an auger to transfer seed to a seed planting machine.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/372,021 filed Feb. 17, 2009, pending, which is herebyincorporated herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a seed cart, in particular a seed cart for usewith agricultural planting machines such as corn planters. The seed cartis configured to discharge seed from multiple bulk seed containers andother agricultural products, and includes an auger offloading ability toa planter or other agricultural equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Agricultural plating machines have grown considerably in size andcomplexity. Modem machines are presently configured to store anddispense great quantities of seed to facilitate long periods ofoperation. However, seed for such machines traditionally is sold anddistributed in relatively small quantities.

In the past, seed was distributed in 50 lb. bags, and more recentlylarger “jumbo” bags have been used. The bag concept suffers from anumber of drawbacks. The smaller bags are too small to efficiently loada modern planting machine. The larger bags are too heavy to be handledwithout specialized equipment, and even with equipment they areconsidered dangerous due to the size and nature of the jumbo bags.

Recently, in part to remedy these problems, seed has been packaged inbox-like bulk seed containers such as the Pro-Box. While addressing thesafety issues, these containers are not easy to handle and a means todeliver the seed in large quantity to the planters still exists.

A number of manufacturers have begun to produce specialized carts forhandling this bulk seed, which can transport the seed to the plantersoften in the field. These types of carts, however, for the most partresemble traditional bin-type grain carts, which are not particularlywell suited for use with the bulk seed containers. For example, theheavy bulk bags must be loaded with a fork lift, or crane, which makesfield operation impractical to impossible. In most cases, the seed mustbe unloaded from the bag or container and dumped into the seed cart bin,which, depending on the circumstances, can range from difficult toimpossible.

Accordingly, plainly a need exists for an improved bulk seed cart whichcan eliminate or substantially eliminate the problems in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a seed cart whichprovides improved support for a number of bulk seed containers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a seed cart whichallows seed to be readily transported from the seed cart to a seedplanter.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon reference to the following specification,drawings, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the seed cart ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the seed cart ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 a is a perspective view of a talc kit for use with the seed cartof the present invention.

FIG. 3 b is an exploded view of the talc kit of FIG. 3 a.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the seed cart ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of an embodiment of the seed cart ofthe present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of the seed cart ofthe present invention.

FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the area C of FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a detailed view of the area A of FIG. 4.

FIG. 12 is a schematic side view of the upper and lower sections of theauger tube shown in the operational position with a portion of the wallof the lower section removed to show the auger positioned therein and aportion of the wall of the upper section removed to show grainpositioned in the upper section.

FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of the upper and lower sections of theauger tube shown in the transport position to show the gap between theupper and lower sections.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a hydraulic fluid circuit forcontrolling the direction of rotation of the auger in the auger tube.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the Figures, a seed cart 10 is shown. FIG. 1 shows the seed cart 10configured to receive four bulk seed containers (not shown) such asPro-Box bulk seed containers. The seed cart 10 shown in FIG. 1 isadapted for mounting to a trailer. FIG. 2 shows a seed cart 10 alsoconfigured to receive four bulk seed containers, and is adapted as astand-alone trailer with capability of receiving wheels (not shown) anda trailer hitch (not shown). FIG. 4 shows a seed cart 10 configured toreceive six bulk seed containers and a yoke with a hitch pin adapted forconnecting to a truck (not shown).

In particular, as shown in FIG. 1, the seed cart 10 includes a lowerframe 11 comprised of a plurality of perimeter frame members 12 and atransverse frame member 13. The lower frame supports an upper frame 16.Conventionally available weigh bars 14 are located between the lower andupper frames 11, 16. The weigh bars 14 are used to determine the amountof seed remaining in the seed cart 10 bulk seed containers, and includea digital readout for this purpose.

The upper frame 16 includes a base 17 which is comprised of a pluralityof lower perimeter frame members 18 and a lower transverse frame member19. Supports 20 extend upward from either side of the seed cart 12 andare connected on their lower end to the lower perimeter frame members 18of the base 17 and connect on the upper end to upper perimeter framemembers 24 of the upper frame 16. The upper perimeter frame members 24are joined together to form the upper perimeter of the upper frame 16.Inner upper support members 25 are joined to the upper perimeter framemembers 24 of the upper frame 16 for lateral support and to completeinner perimeters upon which the four bulk seed containers rest.

Further support to the upper frame 16 is provided by a plurality ofcorner panel supports 22 located in each corner for the upper frame 16of the seed cart 12. The corner panel supports 22 extend between thelower perimeter and upper perimeter frame members 12, 24.

Seed container support shields 26 are located in the corners of theupper frame 16, and at the intersection of the upper perimeter framemembers 24 and inner upper support members 25. In this manner, thecontainer support shields 26 support each corner of the four bulk seedcontainers that rest on the upper support members 24, 25. Furthersupport for the bulk seed containers is provided by rails 28, whichconnect between the container support shields 26 to further define theperimeter of the space provided for each for the four bulk seedcontainers.

An auger tube 30 is provided to contain an auger (not shown) that willconvey and deliver the seed from the bulk seed containers to anagricultural planter (not shown). The auger tube 30 is provided in twosections connected by a hinge 31 to allow the auger tube 30 to movebetween a transport position and an operational position. A hingebracket 32 supports the two sections of the auger tube 30 in theoperational position, and a support stand 34 supports the upper sectionof the auger tube 30 in the transport position. The auger tube 34terminates at its lower end at auger tube funnel 38. The auger tubefunnel 38 is the low point of the auger assembly and is connected tofeed tubes 46 located in each of the four quadrants of the upper frame16 of the seed cart 10. In other words, the feed tubes 46 are located ina position to receive seed from the bottom of each of the bulk seedcontainers, where the seed is gravity fed to the common auger tubefunnel 38 for conveyance through the auger tube 30 to the agriculturalplanter.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the seed cart 10 that differs only in thatit includes fenders 44 and a trailer yoke 42. The seed cart 10 shown inFIG. 2 is adapted for use as a stand-alone trailer. Wheels and axles canbe attached, as well as a trailer hitch, enabling the seed cart 10 to betowed to and from a working location.

FIG. 3 shows in detail a talc kit 40 of the seed cart 10. The kit 40dispenses talc in connection with the operation of the seed cart toallow the seed to release freely, especially if the seed has been coatedwith substances such as insecticides. The kit 40 includes front and rearhopper legs 50, 52 which mount to a hopper bottom 48. The hopper bottom48 is secured to hopper top 56. A grate 62 is secured within the hoppertop 56 with brackets 60. Also provided is an auger outlet 64 whichmounts to the hopper bottom 48 through a hole in the front leg 50. Thetalc kit 40 dispenses talc via an auger (not shown) located in thehopper bottom 48 and is secured with bearing brackets 58. The augerdelivers talc to the auger tube 30 at its base where the auger funnels38 join the auger tube 30.

An additional embodiment of the seed cart 10 is shown in FIGS. 4-11.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 provides supports for six bulk seedcontainers (not shown) such as Pro-Box bulk seed containers.

Starting from the front of the seed cart 10 at the left of FIG. 4, ayoke 70 comprises a side support 72 with cross member 74 terminating ina pin 82 for connecting to a matching hitch on a truck (not shown).Additional supporting structure comprises an upright support 76, adiagonal support 78, and a gusset 80.

The frame 84 of the seed cart 10 comprises a lower frame 86 and an upperframe 88. The lower frame 86 further comprises a lower frame perimetermember 90 and a lower frame cross member 92. The upper frame 88 furthercomprises an upper frame perimeter member 96, an upper frame crossmember 98, and an upper frame center support 100.

One or more horizontal supports 94 are connected between the lower frame86 and the upper frame 88.

Each of the locations supporting a bulk seed container further comprisesseed container support plates 102 and seed container support rails 104.It will be understood that the seed container support plates 102 andseed container support rails 104 cooperate to provide strong support tothe seed container (not shown).

At each location supporting a bulk seed container, a feed tube 106receives seed from the seed container. As best seen in FIGS. 10 and 11,at the rear of the cart, downward-sloping delivery tubes 107 deliverseed from the feed tubes 106 to a rear auger tube funnel 138. An auger(not shown) in the rear auger tube funnel 138 carries seed upwardly andforwardly through an auger tube funnel connector 140 and conjoined augertube connector 142 to the auger tube 114.

The auger tube 114 is provided in two sections connected by a hinge 122to allow the auger tube 114 to move between a transport and anoperational position. A hinge bracket 116 supports the two sections ofthe auger tube 114 in the operational position, and a support stand 118supports the upper section of the auger tube 114 in the transportposition. An auger support 120 and auger bracket 124 provide support tothe fixed portion of the auger tube 114.

In this manner, the present invention substantially eliminates theproblems of previous seed carts.

An optional feature for the various embodiments of the seed cart 10,which is illustratively shown in FIGS. 12 through 14, provides theability to clear seed from a portion of the auger tube 130 whenadvantageous, Clearing a section of the auger tube 130 of seed may bedesirable after filling a planter seed storage compartment with seed,and before the auger tube 130 needs to be moved from the operationalposition (see FIG. 12) to the transport position (see FIG. 13). Thismovement of the auger tube 130, and more specifically the movement ofthe upper section 132 of the auger tube from the operational orientationto the transport orientation with respect to the lower section 134 ofthe auger tube, may allow seed situated in the interior of the uppersection 132 to escape from the interior of the tube and fall to theground, where it is likely to be wasted. More specifically, the pivotmovement of the upper section 132 may cause a gap 136 to be opened inthe assembly of the auger tube between the upper 132 and lower 134sections when the upper section pivots on the hinge. The opening of thegap 136 in the auger tube between the sections may allow any seedremaining in the upper section to fall to the ground. As the length ofthe upper section 132 of the auger tube may be considerable, the amountof seed that may fall through the gap to the ground and be wasted may besignificant.

To facilitate clearing of the upper section 132 of the auger tube of anyseed that may remain after the filling operation has been completed, sothat seeds will not be pilled through the gap 136, the auger 138 that isrotated in the auger tube 130 to cause the seed in the auger tube funnelto move upwardly through the sections 132, 134 of the auger tube may bereversed in rotational direction to cause movement of the seed in anopposite direction inside the auger tube to move seed remaining in theupper section of the tube out of the upper section 132 so that there isless, if any, seed remaining in the upper section 132 prior to movingthe upper section from the operational position to the transportposition. Reversing operation of the auger may be best accomplished byreversing operation of the means driving the auger. For example, in theillustrative embodiments, a hydraulic motor 140 is used to rotate theauger, and the flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motor may bereversed in direction to order to cause the reverse in rotationaldirection of the auger. Optionally, other means may be used to rotatethe auger, and other suitable changes may cause a reversal of therotation of direction. As a further example, an electric motor may beused to rotate the auger, and a change in electrical polarity suppliedto the electric motor will cause a change in rotational direction. Inother embodiments, the engagement of different combinations of gears ina gear train may be utilized to reverse the rotational direction.

A control may be provided to cause the reversal of rotation of the motor140, and as is illustratively shown in FIG. 14, a bidirectionalhydraulic valve 142 may be utilized that provides fluid flow in twodirections to the motor to permit selection of the auger operationdirection for either moving grain in the auger tube to move upwardlyfrom the lower section 134 to the upper section 132, or move downwardlyfrom the upper section to the lower section. Optionally, an auger uppersection lifting cylinder 144, and another bidirectional hydraulic valve146, may be utilized to move the upper section 132 between the transportand operational positions.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materialssimilar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods andmaterials are described below. All publications, patent applications,patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law andregulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, includingdefinitions, will control.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it istherefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made tothe appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicatethe scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art that havethe disclosure before them will be able to make modifications andvariations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

1. A seed cart for transporting bulk seed containers and fortransferring seed from the bulk seed containers to a seed plantingmachine, the seed cart comprising: a frame; a plurality of bulk seedcontainer supports attached to the frame, each of the plurality of bulkseed container supports being adapted to support a bulk seed container;a feed tube connected to each of the plurality of bulk seed containersupports, each feed tube being configured to engage a bulk seedcontainer when the container is supported on a corresponding bulk seedcontainer support; a delivery tube connected to each feed tube; a funnelconnected to the plurality of delivery tubes to receive seeds from thedelivery tubes; and an auger tube having a first end connected to thefunnel and a second end; an auger positioned in the auger tube; and amotor connected to the auger to rotate the auger so that the auger isoperable in a first rotational direction and in a second rotationaldirection.
 2. The seed cart of claim 1 wherein the auger tube furthercomprises a first section connected to the funnel and a second sectionhingedly connected to the first portion, the auger being positioned inthe first section.
 3. The seed cart of claim 1 wherein the auger tubefurther comprises a first section connected to the funnel and a secondsection pivotally connected to the first section such that the secondsection is pivotable between an operational position in which interiorsof the first and second sections are in fluid communication with eachother, and a transport position in which a gap is formed between thefirst and second sections.
 4. The seed cart of claim 1 wherein operationof the motor in the first rotational direction causes any seed in thefirst section of the auger tube to move toward the second section of theauger tube for dispensing, and operation of the motor in the secondrotational direction causes any seed in the second section to movetoward the first section.
 5. The seed cart of claim 1 wherein operationof the motor in the first rotational direction causes any seed in theauger tube to move in an upward direction in the auger tube, andoperation of the motor in the second rotational direction permits anyseed in the second section to move in a downward direction toward thefirst section by gravity.
 6. The seed cart of claim 1 additionallycomprising a user-operable control effective to cause a change in therotational direction of the motor between the first rotational directionand the second rotational direction.
 7. A seed cart for transportingbulk seed containers and for transferring seed from the bulk seedcontainers to a seed planting machine, the seed cart comprising: aframe; a plurality of bulk seed container supports attached to theframe, each of the plurality of bulk seed container supports beingadapted to support a bulk seed container; a feed tube connected to eachof the plurality of bulk seed container supports, each feed tube beingconfigured to engage a bulk seed container when the container issupported on a corresponding bulk seed container support; a deliverytube connected to each feed tube; a funnel connected to the plurality ofdelivery tubes to receive seeds from the delivery tubes; and an augertube having a first end connected to the funnel and a second end, theauger tube further comprises a first section connected to the funnel anda second section pivotally connected to the first section so that thesecond section is pivotable between an operational position in whichinteriors of the first and second sections are in fluid communicationwith each other, and a transport position in which a gap is formedbetween the first and second sections; an auger positioned in the firstsection of the auger tube; and a motor connected to rotate the auger sothat the auger is operable in a first rotational direction and in asecond rotational direction.
 8. The seed cart of claim 7 whereinoperation of the motor in the first rotational direction causes any seedin the first section of the auger tube to move toward the second sectionof the auger tube for dispensing, and operation of the motor in thesecond rotational direction causes any seed in the second section tomove toward the first section.
 9. The seed cart of claim 7 whereinoperation of the motor in the first rotational direction causes any seedin the auger tube to move in an upward direction in the auger tube, andoperation of the motor in the second rotational direction permits anyseed in the second section to move in a downward direction toward thefirst section by gravity.
 10. The seed cart of claim 7 additionallycomprising a user-operable control effective to cause a change in therotational direction of the motor between the first rotational directionand the second rotational direction.
 11. A seed cart for transportingbulk seed containers and for transferring seed from the bulk seedcontainers to a seed planting machine, the seed cart comprising: aframe; a plurality of bulk seed container supports attached to theframe, each of the plurality of bulk seed container supports beingadapted to support a bulk seed container; a feed tube connected to eachof the plurality of bulk seed container supports, each feed tube beingconfigured to engage a bulk seed container when the container issupported on a corresponding bulk seed container support; a deliverytube connected to each feed tube; a funnel connected to the plurality ofdelivery tubes to receive seeds from the delivery tubes; and an augertube having a first end connected to the funnel and a second end, theauger tube further comprises a lower section connected to the funnel andan upper section pivotally connected to the lower section so that theupper section is pivotable between an operational position in whichinteriors of the lower and upper sections are in fluid communicationwith each other, and a transport position in which a gap is formedbetween the lower and upper sections; an auger positioned in the lowersection of the auger tube; a motor connected to rotate the auger so thatthe auger is operable in a first rotational direction and in a secondrotational direction; and a user-operable control effective to cause achange in the rotational direction of the motor between the firstrotational direction and the second rotational direction. whereinoperation of the motor in the first rotational direction causes any seedin the lower section of the auger tube to move toward the upper sectionof the auger tube for dispensing, and operation of the motor in thesecond rotational direction causes any seed in the upper section to movetoward the lower section.